PIPE FITTING INSTALLATION DEVICE

• US 20130234429A1
• Filed: 11/02/2012
• Published: 09/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HDPE Solutions, LLC
• Original Assignee: HDPE Solutions, LLC
• Inventors: Menno, Chris
• Granted Patent: US 8,857,488 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 285/21.1
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 11/02 Assembly jigs
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/02 by heating, with or without pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/2076 perpendicularly to the plane comprising the parts to be joined
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/305 involving the use of cartridge heaters
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/7841 Holding or clamping means for handling purposes clamping means for the purpose of applying pressure on the parts to be joined, in the area to be joined B29C66/81; work holders in general B25B; devices for holding or positioning work for welding metal B23K37/04
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/24221 being circular B29C66/51 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/53241 said articles being tubular and said substantially annular single elements being of finite length relative to the infinite length of said tubular articles making T-shaped pieces by joining tubular articles B29C66/52241
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/73921 characterised by the materials of both parts being thermoplastics
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/81422 being convex
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/81423 being concave
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8161 said pressing elements being supported or backed-up by springs or by resilient material
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8322 Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2101/12 Thermoplastic materials
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2023/22 Tubes or pipes, i.e. rigid bent tubes not for use as pipe couplings B29L2023/004
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 47/02 Welded joints; Adhesive joints
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 47/03 Welded joints with an electrical resistance incorporated in the joint
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 47/30 using attaching means embracing the pipe
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/17 Surface bonding means and/or assemblymeans with work feeding or handling means

Abstract

A portable assembly for securing a plastic fitting to a plastic pipe by employing fusion or thermal sealing is disclosed. The assembly is secured to the outer circumference of a plastic pipe at a desired location. The assembly can be secured at any longitudinal and lateral position along a plastic pipe. A heater heats both the pipe and the fitting to the point where they begin to melt. The heater is then removed and the fitting is pressed onto the surface of the pipe, thus fusing the fitting to the pipe. After cooling, the assembly is removed and the surface of the pipe within the interior of the fitting is drilled or removed. This now enables fluid within the pipe to be sent to the fitting and onto distribution lines which are connected to the fitting.

Claims

1. A portable assembly for securing a pipe fitting to a pipe comprising:

a support structure having an aperture sized and shaped to receive a pipe fitting, said support structure further including a plurality of securing jaws attached to a bottom surface, said securing jaws position for over the top engagement with a pipe;

a first clamping mechanism, said first clamping mechanism containing a first lever arm having a first pivoting connection to said support structure, and a second pivoting connection to a first securing jaw,

a second clamping mechanism, said second clamping mechanism containing a second lever arm having a first pivoting connection to said support structure, and a second pivoting connection to a second securing jaws,

a heating assembly adapted for concurrent heating of a plurality of surfaces, said plurality of surfaces including at least one surface associated with a pipe fitting and at least one surface associated with a pipe;

a compression mechanism adapted for applying a force to said pipe fitting;

a pipe fitting holder; and

a

a pair of longitudinally extending rods coupled to said support structure at or near a terminal end and slidably coupled to said pipe fitting holder at a distance from said terminal end.

2. The portable assembly for securing a pipe fitting to a pipe according to claim 1 wherein said first clamping mechanism and said second clamping mechanism are attached to said support structure at opposing ends.

3. The portable assembly for securing a pipe fitting to a pipe according to claim 1 wherein said first clamping mechanism and said second clamping mechanism are adapted to provide toggle locking action.

4. The portable assembly for securing a pipe fitting to a pipe according to claim 1 wherein said pipe fitting is a fusible transition saddle.

5. The portable assembly for securing a pipe fitting to a pipe according to claim 1 wherein said compression mechanism further contains a knob coupled to said pipe fitting holder through a shaft, said shaft having a spring.

6. The portable assembly for securing a pipe fitting to a pipe according to claim 1 wherein said pipe fitting holder is adapted to self align with said the said pipe fitting.

7. The portable assembly for securing a pipe fitting to a pipe according to claim 6 wherein said pipe fitting holder contains at least one channel constructed and arraigned to receive at least one longitudinal member associated with said pipe fitting.

8. The portable assembly for securing a pipe fitting to a pipe according to claim 1 wherein said heating assembly contains one or more heat assembly securing members for maintaining said heating assembly in the proper orientation.

9. The portable assembly for securing a pipe fitting to a pipe according to claim 8 wherein said one or more heat assembly securing members for maintaining said heating assembly in the proper orientation includes a plurality of finger-like extensions, each said finger like extension terminating in hook sized and shaped to engage with said pipe fitting device.

10. The portable assembly for securing a pipe fitting to a pipe according to claim 9 including a second heat assembly securing member, said second heat assembly securing member being a first alignment tab positioned on the front of said heating assembly and a second alignment tab positioned on the back of said heating assembly.

11. The portable assembly for securing a pipe fitting to a pipe according to claim 1 wherein said compression mechanism further contains a first set of locking elements for maintaining a compression force to an inserted pipe fitting during a heating process.

12. The portable assembly for securing a pipe fitting to a pipe according to claim 11 wherein said compression mechanism further contains a second set of locking elements for maintaining compression force said inserted pipe fitting and said pipe during a fusion process.

13. The portable assembly for securing a pipe fitting to a pipe according to claim 1 wherein said compression mechanism includes a swing latch coupled to a shaft, said shaft further including a spring.